I am interested in pursuing a PhD in the field of clinical/positive/cognitive/educational/pathology/stress psychology and want to work with you.

Answer:

I’m afraid these are very far from my own expertise and research interests, you’d want to contact a professor who does research in those fields. Even within social psychology, my research interests and methods are very narrow, and all are very clearly detailed and explained on my website and your can get a sense of some of that from my publications.

Question:

I have this really great idea and/or I have this research question I am interested in that is related to your field and research interests.

and/or

I have a great research proposal that I want you to read, see attached.

Answer:

It’s great that you already formed some idea of what you’re passionate about, but I am afraid I don’t work with students in this way. My work with students is very structured and takes a step-by-step approach. Please see http://mgto.org/research-internships/

Also, I apologize. As much as I’d like to, I do not have the time to go over research proposals and/or discuss your research with you. If you wish to work with me, we will need to start off with the premise that you’ll first join me in my journey and gain knowledge and skills in my research directions. In time, as we form trust and collaboration, I am very much in favor of proactive students taking the lead and I am very excited to learn from/with you in directions you wish to explore.

Question:

It’d be great if we would talk more on how my research interest could be translated into concrete research plan, especially if that fits into your research/supervision areas.

Answer:

when it comes to my personal preferences, I don’t think a research plan is needed, although I know that HKU and schools here ask for something. When I was doing my PhD with HKUST, I had 2 years of courses and qualifying exams to figure it out. Can’t imagine how departments would expect students to know anything concrete before they understand the fundamentals of science and the literature.

Studying in Hong Kong

Question:

However, I am unsure whether or not HKU offers the option of a PhD via thesis only, and I was wondering whether I could come and discuss these matters with you?

If I want to do social psychology or JDM in Hong Kong, what are my options?

Answer:

You’d want to consider which universities to apply to in Hong Kong and whether you’d rather be at a psychology department (there are 2, maybe 3 of those, with limited scholars in social psychology), or a business school (either marketing or management, these are almost in all universities). Then, depending on what you end up wanting to do and focus on, can think who in Hong Kong who has funding and is looking for PhD students might be relevant.

JDM research in Hong Kong is mostly at the business school, and there are quite a few options, once you start digging deep. They do, however, work differently than psychology departments do.

Working in Hong Kong

Question:

If I apply for a PhD elsewhere, whether it is very difficult to find relevant postdoctoral fellowships in HK?

Answer:

There are very few available postdoc positions in Hong Kong that I know of, but they are possible. It is much more likely that if you do well in your PhD that you’ll be able to find an assistant professor position in one of the 7-8 local business schools or psychology/education departments.